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    Home » Vegan Sauces & Dressings

    Oil Free Balsamic Vinaigrette

    By Sarah Pilley Updated Feb 21, 2024 · Published Feb 21, 2024

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe
    Oil free balsamic dressing in a jar with a spoon. text reads "oil free balsamic vinaigrette" and "quick & easy."

    Oil Free Balsamic Vinaigrette is flavorful and easy to make in under 5 minutes! Use this classic dressing on your favorite salad or as a delicious marinade for roasted veggies.

    Oil free balsamic vinaigrette in a glass jar with a spoon.

    Sauce is the key to elevating any dish!

    From vegan ranch dressing to maple Dijon dressing, there are so many flavor combinations to play around with.

    But sometimes you just want that classic balsamic taste.

    And that's exactly what you get with this no-oil balsamic dressing!

    Use it to make vegan massaged kale salad or balsamic mushrooms.

    Or, get creative and use this oil-free vinaigrette as a marinade for tofu, tempeh, or vegetables before grilling.

    Really, this dressing can add flavor to any dish: drizzle it over quinoa Buddha bowls, use it as a dipping sauce for bread, or reduce it on the stovetop to use as a glaze on strawberry ricotta crostini!

    Jump to:
    • A Vinaigrette Without Oil?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Oil-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Ways to Use No-Oil Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Storage
    • More Vegan Salad Dressings
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    A Vinaigrette Without Oil?

    You may be wondering, how can this be a vinaigrette without oil?

    Isn't a vinaigrette 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar? What is this wizardry?

    Well, yes, that is traditionally how you would make a vinaigrette.

    But, this oil-free alternative relies on ingredients like Dijon mustard and maple syrup to get a tangy, flavorful dressing with the same consistency as any other salad dressing. 

    Ingredients

    You will need these simple ingredients to make balsamic vinaigrette without oil:

    Ingredients needed to make no oil balsamic dressing with corresponding labels: balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup, dried basil, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper.
    • Balsamic Vinegar adds that subtly tart yet sweet flavor to this classic dressing.
    • Dijon Mustard helps the dressing achieve a better consistency and adds to the tang.
    • Maple Syrup balances the bite of the vinegar and Dijon with a touch of sweetness. 
    • Dried Basil Leaves, Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper give some extra flavor to complement the tangy dressing.

    Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.

    How to Make Oil-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best oil free balsamic vinaigrette:

    All ingredients in a jar.

    1. Place all the ingredients in a small jar.

    Mix ingredients until fully combined.

    2. Mix until fully combined and enjoy!

    It's that easy! And so easy to scale up if you want to prepare a big batch of dressing.

    Ways to Use No-Oil Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Oil-free balsamic dressing is versatile and pairs well with so many dishes! Here are a few ideas:

    • Salads - Use on top of your favorite salads like kale apple salad or a vegan harvest salad.
    • Marinate - Marinate tofu, tempeh, or veggies before roasting or grilling.
    • Dipping Sauce - Drizzled over baked sweet potato fries.
    • Grain Bowl - Drizzle over lemon quinoa with maple roasted carrots and apples.

    Storage

    Store homemade oil-free balsamic vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 1 to 2 weeks, shaking before each use.

    Kale salad with balsamic dressing on a fork with chickpeas , walnuts, and apple.

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    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📖 Recipe

    Oil free balsamic vinaigrette in a glass jar with a spoon.

    Oil Free Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Oil Free Balsamic Vinaigrette is flavorful and easy to make in under 5 minutes! Use this classic dressing on your favorite salad or as a delicious marinade for roasted veggies.
    4.72 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Sarah Pilley
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    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon dried basil leaves
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Place all ingredients in a small container or jar.
    • Mix until fully combined and enjoy!

    Notes

    See more expert tips, pictures, and variations above for making the best oil-free balsamic vinaigrette!
    Yield: about ½ cup of dressing
    Serving Size: 2 tablespoons of dressing
    Storage: Store homemade oil-free balsamic vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 1 to 2 weeks, shaking before each use.
    Did you make this recipe? Share your experience! Mention @AlternativeDish on Instagram or Facebook, or drop a comment below—I'd love to hear from you!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    This recipe has been updated with additional pictures and tips. It was adapted from Maggie's recipe that was posted on July 5, 2020.

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    Headshot of Sarah Pilley.

    Hi, I'm Sarah!

    I’m so excited you stopped by! I'm thrilled to share my passion for tasty vegan food with you on the Alternative Dish. I focus on creating recipes that everyone can enjoy with allergy-friendly tips! 

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